The Friends’ School Announces New Principal
Posted on April 28, 2023
The Friends’ School is pleased to announce Esther Wilkes Hill as the new Principal, commencing in January 2024. Esther brings with her years of experience in education and a proven track record of success in school leadership.
Esther is a passionate leader and educator from Fremantle, Western Australia. Since 2016, Esther has led teaching and learning at All Saints’ College (ASC), Perth, a leading co-educational, Pre-Kindergarten to Year 12 School. Esther has served in the role of Director of Senior School, Teaching and Learning where she has been one of the driving forces in establishing The Studio School, an Australian first model of personalised studio learning in Fremantle, WA where she is Head of Campus during the start-up phase of the school. In addition, Esther has continued her leadership as Director of Djoowak: The Beyond Boundaries Institute and its advisory group.
Esther has a Master of School Leadership and is currently undertaking doctoral studies with a focus on exploring teachers’ practices in developing students’ capabilities. Esther presents her research and work at national and international conferences and her teaching and leadership experience have led to several nominations and awards including; WA’s Secondary Teacher of the Year, Australian Secondary Teacher of the Year and most recently being recognised as one of Australia’s most Influential Educators by The Educator Magazine.
“On behalf of The Board, we are delighted that Esther has accepted the role as our next Principal and we look forward to supporting her leadership of our School and engagement with the community,” said Craig Stephens, Presiding Member – Board of Governors, The Friends’ School. “During the extensive recruitment process, the panel was impressed by Esther’s abilities as a progressive educator and leader, including her extensive experience in a co-educational, Pre-Kindergarten to Year 12 landscape; her exceptional engagement qualities and her strong and personal alignment with the School’s Quaker ethos and values. Esther’s experience and commitment to excellence makes her the perfect fit to lead our school and continue to provide the best education possible to our students.”
Esther expressed her excitement for the opportunity to join The Friends’ School and serve as the new principal. “I am honoured to have been chosen to lead The Friends’ School from 2024,” said Esther. “The opportunity to walk alongside this community is one that speaks to my heart. I am deeply grateful to continue in the footsteps of my family: Quakers who served their communities on the path towards peace, justice and equality; and in the footsteps of a wonderful school and Friends’ past principals whose mission, vision and values are completely aligned with all that I have been working toward in my professional life. To see the value of every human being and to enable them to grow and flourish through their education is indeed a privilege. To be of service to the Friends’ community as its Principal and to support its staff and students to be empowered to seek knowledge, truth and beauty, to challenge paradigms of greed and destruction and to seek peaceful solutions for the future of our planet is an honour that I am humbled to undertake.”
Click here to read the letter to community members.
